Police operations in Yanomami indigenous territory about to start

Brazil’s Minister of Justice and Public Safety Flávio Dino said today (Feb. 6) that the Yanomami indigenous territory in Roraima state this week should see the humanitarian assistance—which included the closing of its air space—transition to the police phase of government operations, targeting miners and the financiers of mineral activity. By the end of this week, some 80 percent of the 15 thousand people involved in illegal mining in the region are expected to leave the area, the minister declared.

At this point, at the request of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, efforts should help protect the teams at the posts of national indigenous authority Funai and the health centers that assist the indigenous people.

In total, 500 men from the National Security Force will be sent to the state as part of this phase of operations.

Police forces

Minister Dino said that the Federal Police and the Federal Highway Police, with logistical support from the Armed Forces, will carry out the compulsory removal of those who have not yet left the Yanomami territory. Efforts should also include the destruction of mining equipment and the elimination of clandestine tracks. Unauthorized individuals who are still in the region may be arrested in flagrante delicto.

The minister said the government will not provide any kind of support for miners departing from the territory. They claim to be facing difficulties exiting the region since the Air Force took over and banned aircraft operating in criminal activities.

“Of course we’re allowing these people to leave by their own means, but the federal government should provide no support, as we consider it to be incompatible with the criminal nature of their activity,” he said. Regarding  the social aspect of the issue, Roraima Governor Antonio Denarium is said to be in Brasília to meet with the president’s Chief of Staff Rui Costa and Social Development Minister Wellington Dias.

Caution

Regarding claims that the government is facilitating the mass escape of criminals from the Yanomami indigenous territory, Minister Flávio Dino said that anyone offering assistance will be punished.

“There won’t be impunity down the path for these people. Probes have started and should continue making progress. We have to understand it is a highly complex political and social situation, and that planning is crucial. The use of force without planning could worsen the problem in the state. And we don’t want that,” he added.

Focus

The minister also noted that the invesitgation should focus on financiers, owners of illegal mines, and money launderers. “Of course there are the perpetrators of environmental crimes. These are being identified through images and will be the target of police investigation,” he stated.